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    Edouard Julien is On the Clock

    Cody Pirkl

    By Cody Pirkl

    Edouard Julien has followed the path of several other young players who appeared to break out in 2023. In other words, he's been a massive disappointment in 2024. As he continues to struggle, could he be running out of time?

    Image courtesy of Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

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    Edouard Julien burst onto the scene last season, with a plate approach that made him a lock as a future core piece of the lineup. His elite eye at the plate was complemented by enough power to make pitchers pay when he was ahead in the count. So far in 2024, that approach isn’t working, and he’s been one of the least productive regulars in the team's inconsistent lineup.

    On the season, Julien is slashing .199/.302/.372, and he’s struck out nearly 35% of the time. His numbers don’t even tell the story of how badly he’s struggled recently, as he’s slashing .167/.225/.183 in May, with a strikeout rate closer to 40%. He’s now a below-average hitter on the season, and at least for Sunday’s game against the Rangers, has finally been removed from the leadoff spot.

    Julien’s plate approach may have been more of a highwire act than initially believed, as several plate discipline numbers have slightly regressed. He’s chasing about 3% more than he did in 2023 and swinging at pitches in the zone slightly less. The result has been a complete disaster. So far this season, there has been no challenger for his job at second base for the big-league club, but that’s about to change.

    At long last, Brooks Lee has begun a rehab assignment, after a back injury delayed the start of his season. After flashing the skills that made him a top prospect in spring training, he’s gotten off to a hot start. In his first five games, Lee has posted an OPS over 1.000. These numbers don’t have much objective meaning, as they come from the low levels of the minor leagues. Still, they’re a good reminder that Lee would have almost certainly been on the Twins roster already if healthy and will be pushing them to make the addition shortly.

    The question is where Lee fits. Royce Lewis will likely retake third base, and Carlos Correa occupies Lee’s natural position at shortstop. Considering how the season has gone offensively for Julien and Kyle Farmer at second base, if Lee shows that he’s healthy, the Twins may have an obvious decision to make in the coming weeks.

    It’s a disappointing conversation to have regarding Julien, who looked locked into the top of the Twins lineup for years to come just a month or two ago. If the swap is indeed made for Lee at some point, we have to hope that a demotion to St. Paul leads to an opportunity to stabilize his approach and return quickly, rather than sinking further into the abyss, as we’ve seen from Matt Wallner.

    We’re reaching the point of the season where it’s time to shake up the unproductive parts of the roster. Last year, Julien was one of the replacements who led the Twins to their dominant second half. This year, he could be one of the ones getting replaced. Should the Twins be quick to make the Julien-for-Lee swap when the latter is ready to go?

    Cody Pirkl is a Twins Writer for Twins Daily and lover of all things baseball.
    Follow Cody Pirkl on Twitter: CodyPirkl

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    stringer bell

    stringer bell 25,881

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    42 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

    Agreed. I also think we will know a lot when Lewis starts playing the field in AAA. It will be interesting to see if it's anything other than 3B. If it's 2B, Julien on the edge of a demotion. If it's 3B, the choice is probably between Miranda, Larnach, and Kirilloff unless the FO is really ready to DFA Margot. I hope so, but it seems unlikely. If Lewis is playing LF, more likely Margot is on the edge. Having said that, highly unlikely that Lewis plays the OF. 

    Question - would anyone pick up Margot's contract if he was DFA'd? If I remember correctly, his salary for the year is $10 million and the Dodgers sent $6 million of that cost so his cost to the Twins is $4 million.  Anyone picking him up on waivers would have to eat the remaining portion of his contract but I'm not sure if it's the full $10 million or just a prorated share of the $4 million Twins portion.  I'm not sure how that works. In either event, it seems unlikely that anyone will pay that so maybe the Twins could DFA him and sent him back to AAA. Margo may not want to elect free agency because then he forfeits the contract, again if I understand this correctly. It seems to me that if I'm understanding this right, there may be a real possibility that the Twins could DFA Margo and keep him at the AAA level.

    All of this though is probably wasted space because someone will get hurt and that will open up the roster spot.
     

     

    Margot can declare free agency and keep the money if he is DFA'd and unclaimed. The Twins will pay the $4M they agreed to pay when the trade was made. This is very similar to the Aaron Hicks situation last summer, except that Margot is in his walk year. 

    stringer bell

    stringer bell 25,881

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    While Julien is currently on the bottom of in performance of the optionable talent, the options to replace him all are pretty questionable.

    Austin Martin was at about .650 OPS when he was sent out and he played almost exclusively in the outfield. Kyle Farmer is looking up at the Mendoza line with zero homers in almost 100 plate appearances. AFAIK, Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee have played zero games at second base as professionals and Jose Miranda hasn't played there since 2021. Willi Castro has played no innings at second this year and only a handful in 2023. He remains the best in left field most of the time.

    LA Vikes Fan

    LA Vikes Fan 8,116

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    14 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

    Margot can declare free agency and keep the money if he is DFA'd and unclaimed. The Twins will pay the $4M they agreed to pay when the trade was made. This is very similar to the Aaron Hicks situation last summer, except that Margot is in his walk year. 

    Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, it makes it pretty unlikely that Margot will be DFA'd. Maybe traded to the Braves who need an OF?

    Rod Carews Birthday

    Rod Carews Birthday 4,587

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    18 hours ago, DJL44 said:

    Another thing that seems silly in this thread is the idea that every player who is struggling was "screwed up" by the Twins batting coaches who are completely incompetent and every player who is doing well is doing it completely on his own by actively ignoring his coaches. Total malarkey.

    Indeed!  If only those terrible incompetent coaches would step aside so those MVP level hitters can all go back to being amazing!  
     

    it would also probably help if those opposing teams would stop trying to win games as well.  

    RpR

    RpR 3,665

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    13 hours ago, Jocko87 said:

    Never mind the Gallo comp, Gallo has always been a good glove but I'm wondering if this is still true for Julien.  He's legitimately made himself a decent defender in a matter of months.

     

    His defense is no better than it was, he does not many errors because to avoid them his flielding speed is sloooow, and ackward.

    When Farmer plays second a double play is smooth as silk,  with Julien it is  like scratching nails on a black-board.

    Jocko87

    Jocko87 5,696

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    21 minutes ago, RpR said:

    His defense is no better than it was, he does not many errors because to avoid them his flielding speed is sloooow, and ackward.

    When Farmer plays second a double play is smooth as silk,  with Julien it is  like scratching nails on a black-board.

    It's not perfect or perfect looking but it's light years better than early last year.

    image.png.7d686bcc8989c04897d1dfdb68a5a85d.pngimage.png.4dae04e7a452455d828319f905e0c9d7.png

    big dog

    big dog 4,479

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    16 hours ago, h2oface said:

    The reason Julien has no competition, is that the FO traded Arraez and Polanco away, both for what is turning into, including Pablo Day Lopez, players that can't play for many various reasons, or that are becoming what they are instead of what so called projections bet they would become. Still not a fan of either trade. Now we got a guy that won't even swing at strikes, instead of what will be a 3 time repeating batting champ that would swing at anything close and get hit after hit. And we have a 5.25 ERA innings eater, and losing innings at that. Betting the house on Julien and Wallner after a couple of good rookie months proved foolhardy once again, and it has it the past, and some predicted. Now unproved Brooks will be the savior in the paralyzed by hope mentality. (And not everyone thought that Kepler wouldn't keep getting better, and never wanted to trade him and still doesn't...... )

    Yes, if only we had Polanco back, with his OPS of .595. That would be so much better than Julien's current .693. I was surprised the Twins got as much as we did for him, and now it turns out they didn't get as much as we thought. Did they turn down better offers? I don't remember ever hearing of any.

    joefish

    joefish 573

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    On 5/27/2024 at 8:34 AM, Greglw3 said:

    With Lee going 4 for 5 at ST. Paul and Lewis healthy, I’d say it’s time to call them both up now. And I’d call up Keirsey as the main Buxton backup and 4th OF while I’m at it. Keirsey had .400 OBP s OPS about .846 vs lefties last I checked.

    Who would you send down?

    Jeff K

    Jeff K 1,338

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    On 5/27/2024 at 12:17 PM, Karbo said:

    I agree that his 2 strike approach must change. He just can't let these close pitches go by. He needs to learn to just foul them off. But its not just that. He is taking good pitches to hit in the zone. I think when Lewis gets back they should send him back down for a reset. I'm not giving up on him, just think he needs some time to rebuild his confidence.

    I wouldn't wait for Lewis.  Julien needs to get has act back together at St. Paul, not with the big club.

    bean5302

    bean5302 9,277

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Literally 13 days ago Julien was carrying a wRC+ 125. Guy goes on a 10 game slump (still better than league average) and there are calls for his demotion the day after he goes 2-2 with a walk. Jeez.

    Also, Brooks Lee!!!! OMG, Brooks Lee!!!! is at the Florida Complex league (rookie ball), not AAA.

    DJL44

    DJL44 16,602

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    47 minutes ago, big dog said:

    Yes, if only we had Polanco back, with his OPS of .595. That would be so much better than Julien's current .693. I was surprised the Twins got as much as we did for him, and now it turns out they didn't get as much as we thought. Did they turn down better offers? I don't remember ever hearing of any.

    Don't leave out that Polanco is currently on the injured list with a hamstring problem.

    h2oface

    h2oface 8,909

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

    On 5/28/2024 at 5:55 AM, JD-TWINS said:

    Pretty sure Lee hasn’t seen St. Paul yet …….if he was 4-5 somewhere much higher than the Florida Coast League it would be a headline. Saints don’t play again until today or tomorrow……,assuming they want Lewis to play a couple more games, and I agree, they need to call him up by Thursday-Friday…..sure hope so anyway.

    This. Lee has been rehabbing in the rookie level Florida Complex League. Was moved to Fort Meyers on Tuesday the 28th. Most of the posters seem to not be paying attention, including the top prospect summary writer. Not to discount his progress there, but this St Paul stuff is misinformed. 
     

    In regards to Julien, if he would swing the bat at close pitches with 2 strikes on him, his K rate might just go down. If you really have such a good eye, you won’t get called out so often taking those pitches. I wonder what percentage of his Ks are called third strikes?

    stringer bell

    stringer bell 25,881

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    13 minutes ago, h2oface said:

    This. Lee has been rehabbing in the rookie level Florida Complex League. Was moved to Fort Meyers on Tuesday the 28th. None of the posters except you seem to be paying attention. Not to discount his progress there, but this St Paul stuff is misinformed. 
     

    In regards to Julien, if he would swing the bat at close porches with 2 strikes on him, his K rate might just go down. If you really have such a good eye, you won’t get called out so often taking those pitches. I wonder what percentage of his Ks are called third strikes?

    So far, his called thirds are almost half of his total strikeouts, which is really unusual.

    h2oface

    h2oface 8,909

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

    55 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

    So far, his called thirds are almost half of his total strikeouts, which is really unusual.

    Yet, it continues to be the narrative that he has such a great eye. Evidence says this is not true. It is painful to watch.

    Thanks for looking that up. 

    Twodogs

    Twodogs 1,655

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    On 5/27/2024 at 11:47 AM, Doctor Gast said:

    Martin played mainly 3B at Vanderbilt. TOR & MN wanted to convert him into a power-slugging SS. IMO 2B is Martins best position until he learns OF, like getting down his throwing. Martin once he gets situated at MLB will be a tremendous lead-off guy. Even better than Arraez because Martin can really steal bases.

    Whoa there, I like Martin, but he hit .270 in 21, .240 in 22 and .260 last season.  I mean Luis Arraez hit .350.  now I know the Twins got Pablo Lopez for him and that is a good trade.  But could you imagine had they traded someone else for Lopez?  Let's say Miranda, he was a super hot name going into last season.  Could you imagine having had Arraez hitting  350 with a .400 on base leading off last season?  I don't care about stolen bases at that point in time.  A ton of those solo shot home runs would have been 2 run shots.  I like Martin and I hope he becomes a good lead off hitter, but I don't think he is anywhere near Arraez, at least at this point in his career.  The stolen bases will mean more if he can become a consistent .290 - .300 hitter.  He doesn't have to hit .350 to compare to Arraez, but it has to be better than .240 - .260.  I see your point though as Arraez did not run much, so I like Martin, just I don't think he's quite there yet.

    Doctor Gast

    Doctor Gast 10,593

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    1 hour ago, Twodogs said:

    Whoa there, I like Martin, but he hit .270 in 21, .240 in 22 and .260 last season.  I mean Luis Arraez hit .350.  now I know the Twins got Pablo Lopez for him and that is a good trade.  But could you imagine had they traded someone else for Lopez?  Let's say Miranda, he was a super hot name going into last season.  Could you imagine having had Arraez hitting  350 with a .400 on base leading off last season?  I don't care about stolen bases at that point in time.  A ton of those solo shot home runs would have been 2 run shots.  I like Martin and I hope he becomes a good lead off hitter, but I don't think he is anywhere near Arraez, at least at this point in his career.  The stolen bases will mean more if he can become a consistent .290 - .300 hitter.  He doesn't have to hit .350 to compare to Arraez, but it has to be better than .240 - .260.  I see your point though as Arraez did not run much, so I like Martin, just I don't think he's quite there yet.

    Martin's OBP potential is very high, it's there on the MiLB level but not MLB. IMO MLB pitchers have the book out on us & HRs will be harder to come by so we'll have to start to play some small ball. Arraez fit very well into our plans in the past but IMO Martin will fit better in the future.

    Twodogs

    Twodogs 1,655

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    2 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

    Martin's OBP potential is very high, it's there on the MiLB level but not MLB. IMO MLB pitchers have the book out on us & HRs will be harder to come by so we'll have to start to play some small ball. Arraez fit very well into our plans in the past but IMO Martin will fit better in the future.

    Hopefully, but right Now Luis has picked up where he left off in Miami.  I cheer for Arraez but I also cheer for Martin.  Hopefully he gets to that point.

    h2oface

    h2oface 8,909

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

    On 5/28/2024 at 11:37 AM, big dog said:

    Yes, if only we had Polanco back, with his OPS of .595. That would be so much better than Julien's current .693. I was surprised the Twins got as much as we did for him, and now it turns out they didn't get as much as we thought. Did they turn down better offers? I don't remember ever hearing of any.

    I believe it is you responding "if only we had Polanco back". What I said was trading Polanco and Arraez gave the job to Julian with no competition. Which is true, even without youR Polanco dissing. I notice you left Arraez out of it. Those that tout defensive stats (not that you did, but those.....) must also then buy into that Correa is rated less than average of a defender with the same stats. I would love to have a bit of a compromised defensive 2nd baseman for a .350 plus hitter THAT SWINGS AT STRIKES AND DOESN'T WATCH CALLED THIRD STRIKES HABITUALLY. (ALL CAPS ISN'T SHOUTING IF THE FONT IS SMALLER)



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